NYT: The High Line Isn’t Just a Sight to See; It’s Also an Economic Dynamo

This is a really interesting comment on the impact that urban improvement has had on property values. It shows that investing in improving an urban eyesore has directly led to increased investment and increased the value of adjacent properties. This could be used as an argument for public investment in parks and gardens. It could even be used as an argument for private investment in parks and gardens!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/nyregion/with-next-phase-ready-area-around-high-line-is-flourishing.html?_r=4&src=me&ref=nyregion

The Secret History of America’s Interstate Highway System » INFRASTRUCTURIST

The Secret History of America’s Interstate Highway System » INFRASTRUCTURIST

It just goes to show ... Melbourne isn't the only place where highway planning has been going on for years without the general public being aware of it.

Walkability Forum

The Promoting Liveability through Walkability Forum will be held at the Darebin Arts Centre on the 28th June 2011. See the attached link for more details.


http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102998497947-434/Walkability+Forum+Program.pdf

Joint Built Environment and Health Promotion sector Forum concerning the Parliamentary Inquiry into Environmental Design and Public Healt

Joint Built Environment and Health Promotion sector Forum concerning the Parliamentary Inquiry into Environmental Design and Public Health

Date: Friday 17 June 2010

Time: 10am – 1pm

Location:        MAV, Level 11, 60 Collins Street, Melbourne

Speakers:

•           The Hon. David Davis, Minister for Health

•           Assoc. Prof. Trevor Budge, Latrobe University

•           Assoc. Prof. Carolyn Whitzman, University of Melbourne

•           Kelly Anne Jolly, Director Cardiovascular Health, Heart Foundation

•           Assoc. Prof. John Fitzgerald, CEO, VicHealth

•           Jason Black, Project Director, PIA

Facilitator:      Ruth Davies, PIA Social Planning Chapter Chairperson

Cost: Free

To Register:      http://events.mav.asn.au/?mav_conference_detail_UNID=451

The Forum will be opened by the Health Minister who will be followed by a panel of experts each presenting for 10 minutes representing a range of professionals from the planning and health fields on various issues concerning the relationship between the built environment and community good health.  The presentations will then be followed by a 1 hour workshop to assist with the development of submissions to the inquiry from the Institute, other bodies and individuals.

Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy | Video on TED.com

This is a succinct and so very true dissection of the reasons why people don' get engaged in local politics and planning.

Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy | Video on TED.com

Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy | Video on TED.com

This is a succinct and so very true dissection of the reasons why people don' get engaged in local politics and planning.

Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy | Video on TED.com

Effort to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum - The New York Times

This is an interesting article on the need to relearn how to play.  It's pretty sad if kids in America are being given instruction manuals on how to engage in creative play!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/garden/06play.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage

The article points out the modern dilemma of the lack of child freedom.  If children can't move around between each others homes and the local playgrounds independently, it makes it very difficult to get together and play.  This is a real loss, since playing together is one of the important ways to learn social skills.  We need to work on creating urban spaces that are both objectively and subjectively safe for children, and give them back their freedom.